UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA

DE NUEVO LEÓN

Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y

Eléctrica

British Culture
ESSAY ABOUT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN
MEXICO
February-June 2021

Name: José David Plata Martínez

Student ID: 1795968
Class-Hour: V1
Teacher: Guillermo Roberto Rossano Pérez

8th march 2021, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás

 a) INVENTIONS
Earthquake Resistant Foundations
Earthquakes are some of the most destructive forces in nature destroying
infrastructure and even occasionally taking lives. Even more so without proper
planning and or engineering metropolitan areas that are prone to earthquakes can
turn catastrophic very quickly. Born out of necessity, Mexican engineer Manuel
González Flores would go on to invent control pilings, also known as earthquake-
resistant foundations.
Coming into existence in the late 40s and early 50s, these unique foundations can
adapt to the movement of a building, redistributing energy generated by an
earthquake. His invention would go on to play a vital role in cities with high
earthquake risk.

Colour Television
Televisions almost seem like novelties nowadays packed with new colorful features
engineered to enhance your viewing experience. Yet, prior to your QLED and 8K
displays the idea of having a simple color tv was revolutionary. Invented by
Guillermo González Camarena at the young age of 22, he would go on to introduce
his self-built color TV to the country in the 1940s.
His research and inventiveness would eventually lead him to create the
trichromatic, field-sequential system and improved chromoscopic adapter. Both of
these systems would go on and enable the color transmissions. In 1942 he
obtained the official patent and finally would fully enjoy color images from his lab in
1946.

Oral Contraceptives
If you’ve ever taken or benefited from the use of oral contraceptives, you’ve got
Mexican Luis Miramontes to thank, at least in part. In 1951, he was a 26-year-old
chemistry graduate, and synthesised one of the key elements, the progestin
norethindrone, which would later become the active ingredient in the first three oral
contraceptive pills. This remarkable discovery led to Miramontes being known as
the ‘father of the pill’.
 Anti-Graffiti Paint
As recently as the early 2000s, researchers and developers at UNAM’s Applied
Physics and Advanced Technology Centre in Querétaro came up with an anti-
graffiti paint, Deletum 3000. This biodegradable product, which sounds remarkably
like a spell from Harry Potter, prevents anything wet or oily from adhering to it, and
so leaves spray paint unable to grip the wall.

Tortilla Machine
We all know that the tortilla is a Mexican invention, but did you know the tortilla
machine was too? Created by Fausto Celorio Mendoza in 1947, this automated
tortilla machine revolutionised the time taken to produce these staple dietary discs,
eventually being able to produce 130kg of tortillas per hour in 1959. By 1975,
200kg of tortillas per hour were being pumped out of the machines that bear their
inventor’s name.
a) DISCOVERIES

Popcorn
As you may know, corn comes originally from México, well popcorn was first
prepared in pre-hispanic cities in the center of Mexico. They used to make them in
very hot clay pots and called them momochtli.

Tequila
Of course we could not miss Tequila in our count. Proudly Mexican, it was also
invented in pre-hispanic times in the state of Jalisco.
 Zero
It is known that the Mayas were great mathematicians, astrologers and architects,
perhaps one of his achievements was to have invented the number zero. Other
theories suggest that this discovery was preceded by the Olmecs.

Chocolate
This certainly is one of our favorites: Chocolate. The Aztecs were the ones who
began to prepare cocoa paste and drinks for its properties and health benefits. It
was later adopted by other cultures such as the Maya, who believed it was a gift
from God Kukulkan.

Scorpion Sting Antidote

Alejandro Alagón, Mexican scientific specialized in biotechnology, develpoed a
scorpion antivenom in 1994 that has been used in the pharmaceutical industry and
hospitals since. In 2011 United States approved its commercialization. Nowadays
Alejandro is developing more antivenoms of other species such as corals, spiders
and snakes, with the aiming of exporting them to Australia and african countries.
b) RESEARCH CENTERS OR INSTITUTES
Center for Information on Public Health Decisions
CENIDSP was created to deliver products and services based on scientific public
health research to different actors of society, including government officials,
academic researchers, health professionals and the general public. The center's
activities focus on translating and disseminating scientific evidence-based
knowledge to promote effective decision-making, policy formulation, human
resources training and healthy lifestyles. CENIDSP uses advanced technologies to
develop information systems that aid in the planning, operation, monitoring and
evaluation of health systems.
Center for Evaluation and Surveys Research
The Center for Evaluation and Surveys Research (CIEE) is dedicated to the
comprehensive evaluation of health and social development programs and
interventions, the research on public health topics applying quantitative methods,
and to the design, implementation and analysis of surveys on health and other
wellbeing related issues.CIEE’s activities are aimed to generate evidence on the
effectiveness and efficiency of policies, programs and interventions to inform
decision making in the health and social sectors. These activities are organized in
five areas:
 Comprehensive evaluation of health and social programs and policies,
including impact evaluation
 Performance Evaluation of the health system and policies
 Económic evaluation of health interventions, oriented to resources
optimization
 Research on public health topics applying economics and statistics methods
 Human resources capacity building
CIEE seek to respond to the growing demand of governments, donors, and the civil
society in making decisions based on rigorous evidence.
Center for Nutrition and Health Research
CINyS was created to identify population health problems resulting from poor
nutrition and develop food programs. CINyS research focuses on the causes of
malnutrition for specific groups of the Mexican population, the implementation of
food programs, and the effects of the nutrition transition on growth, obesity and
chronic disease. Also, the CINyS works with the SSA to create public health
policies and provide information at the federal and state levels to develop specific
actions to improve nutrition. The CINyS focuses its efforts on researching the
causes of poor nutrition and improving health systems through research, service
and teaching.
Center for Infectious Diseases Research
CISEI's mission is to comprehensively study infectious diseases and promote
active participation in the biotechnology revolution in order to develop new
diagnostic and control procedures. The CISEI aims to increase applied public
health research in the region, develop innovative methodologies for
epidemiological surveillance, and create new disease prevention and control
measures.
Center for Health Systems Research
CISS is engaged in research, education and services to attain health equity in
Mexico and throughout the world. Health systems understanding has become
relevant as the forms to finance, sustain and organize health care have been
recognized as determinants of health improvement that may guarantee good
quality health care and financial protection for all.
CISS provides the Mexican Health Ministry with technical and scientific consulting
and support regarding intra- and inter-sector decisions and actions, as well as
strategic support for Mexican states' health services that require regulatory and
organizational oversight and interventions.
Regional Center for Public Health Research
CRISP is located in the southern region of Mexico, Tapachula, Chiapas, and is
focused on vector-borne diseases (SVET) and regional pandemics as well as other
priority areas of this region. The CRISP focuses on two research lines: prevention
and control of vector-borne diseases and environmental health. It also provides
diagnostic services for malaria, insecticides evaluation and pest control. Among its
objectives are to identify and define strategic partners in the region; promote the
research, teaching and service in the national and international context; train
professionals for excellence in the field of in vector-borne diseases; assess public
health needs; and produce knowledge to improve health.
c) ADVANCES IN SCIENCE AND/OR TECHNOLOGY

Sponge Iron
Hylsa, Mexican firm, patented the HYL process in 1957 by which the sponge iron is
obtained. This facilitates the production of raw materials for steel production. This
discovery is regarded as one of the best known in the world Mexican technologies.

Translucent concrete
This great invention was created in 2005 by two Mexican civil engineers: Joel Sosa
and Sergio Galvan. The translucent concrete is now being sold around the world
for its main advantages: is lightweight, water repellent and has greater resistance
to fire.
 Tridilosa
The Tridilosa is a three-dimensional construction system invented by Herbert
Castillo, Mexican engineer, in 1966. This system can save up to 66% cement and
40% steel. It has been used in more than 200 bridges in Mexico and many more
buildings like the World Trade Center in Mexico City.

Amazon is rapidly growing its services in Mexico.

In March 2018, Amazon created a debit card for unbanked Mexican shoppers to
help push e-commerce growth. Currently, less than one-third of Mexican adults
have credit cards, meaning e-commerce development has been slow. This card,
called Amazon Rechargeable, is only available in Mexico and is intended to help
Mexican shoppers purchase via the Amazon online marketplace. It can be topped
up at any convenience store around the country.
In August 2018, Amazon announced it would also launch its smart virtual assistant
Alexa in Mexico, its first market in Latin America, as well as a new distribution
center in Queretaro, Mexico. The new distribution center is further proof of e-
commerce growth in Latin America’s second-largest economy. According to market
research firm Euromonitor International, the online market in Mexico was expected
to be worth around $7 billion in 2018 and $14 billion by 2022.

Guadalajara is a leading tech hub.

Mexico’s second-largest city is undergoing a technology transformation. In recent
years, Guadalajara has turned itself into a global center for research and
development, programming, and design. The nonprofit organization Startup GDL is
helping to attract Silicon Valley startups to Guadalajara and promoting the city’s
many benefits to local startups as well. The state of Jalisco is home to 40% of
Mexico’s IT industry and a well-educated population. There are 16 technology
institutes and 12 universities graduating more than 8,000 technical and engineering
students every year in the state. Global IT companies with offices in Guadalajara
include Toshiba, IBM, HP, Oracle, Cisco, and Intel. The city’s proximity to major
U.S. cities makes it a no brainer for U.S. companies with ties to Latin America as
well.
Goldman Sachs predicts that Mexico will be the world’s fifth biggest economy by
2050.
Mexico is more than just a regional power; it is well on its way to becoming a global
one. With a young, highly-connected population that is transitioning to the middle-
class, Mexico has the potential to lead much of Latin America’s tech ecosystem in
coming years.

Mexico City is the 7th biggest city in the world.

The Mexico City metropolitan area has a population of over 22 million people,
second only to Sao Paulo in Latin America. This mega-city is the epicenter of
Mexico’s tech ecosystem, with most government funds targeting Mexico City first
before reaching out across the country. While Guadalajara and Monterrey are also
growing tech hubs in the region, many startups, accelerators, and international
companies start in Mexico City, then branch out.

The Mexican government has committed over $600M

to startups through the Instituto Nacional del Emprendedor (INADEM).
Since 2014, the Mexican government has distributed up to US$658M to over
620,000 entrepreneurs to try to jumpstart the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to INADEM data, 6000 companies and 73,000 jobs have been created
as a result of these efforts.
 Mexico graduates more engineers than the United States.
Mexico’s top universities, including Universidad de Guadalajara and Tecnologico
de Monterrey, are pushing hard to create the talent Mexico needs to grow and
develop its tech ecosystem. In a country where over one-third of the population is
under 25 years old, and three million people are enrolled in university, the
educated middle class is growing very quickly. Mexico reportedly graduates over
120,000 new engineers a year and the Mexican government is working hard to
create tech jobs locally, through programs like Reto Zapopan, to keep that talent
local.

Goldman Sachs predicts that Mexico will be the world’s

fifth biggest economy by 2050.
Mexico is more than just a regional power; it is well on its way to becoming a global
one. With a young, highly-connected population that is transitioning to the middle-
class, Mexico has the potential to lead much of Latin America’s tech ecosystem in
coming years.
d) PROMINENT SCIENTISTS
Luis Miramontes
Chemist, Luis Miramontes co-invented the contraceptive pill. In 1951, Miramontes,
then a college student, was under the direction of Syntex Corp Ceo George
Rosenkranz and researcher Carl Djerassi. Miramontes wrote a new procedure for
the synthesis of the progestin norethindrone, the active ingredient for what would
become the oral birth control pill. Carl Djerassi, George Rosenkranz, and Luis
Miramontes were granted US patent 2,744,122 for "oral contraceptives" on May 1,
1956. The first oral contraceptive, tradename Norinyl, was manufactured by Syntex
Corp.
Victor Ochoa
Victor Ochoa was the Mexican American inventor of the Ochoaplane. He was also
the inventor of a windmill, magnetic brakes, a wrench, and a reversible motor. His
best-known invention, the Ochoaplane was a small flying machine with collapsible
wings. Mexican inventor Victor Ochoa was also a Mexican revolutionary. According
to the Smithsonian, Victor Ochoa had a reward of $50,000 offered for his delivery
dead or alive to Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico. Ochoa was a revolutionist who
sought to overthrow the rule of Mexico’s chief executive in the early nineties.
José Hernández-Rebollar
Jose Hernandez-Rebollar invented the Acceleglove, a glove that can translate sign
language into speech. According to the Smithsonian,
"by using sensors attached to the glove and the arm, this prototype device can
currently translate the alphabet and over 300 words in American Sign Language
(ASL) into both English and Spanish.
María González
As the only woman inventor on this list, Doctor María del Socorro Flores González
won the MEXWII 2006 award for her work on diagnostic methods for invasive
amebiasis. María González patented processes to diagnose invasive amebiasis, a
parasitic disease that kills over 100,000 people each year.
Felipe Vadillo
Mexican inventor Felipe Vadillo patented a method of predicting premature fetal
membrane rupture in pregnant women.
Juan Lozano
Juan Lozano, a Mexican inventor with a lifelong obsession with jet packs, invented
the Rocket Belt. Juan Lozano's company Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana sells
the Rocket Belt for a hefty price. According to their website:
...founder Juan Manuel Lozano has been working with hydrogen peroxide
propulsion systems since 1975, inventor of the penta-metallic catalyst pack to be
used with organic hydrogen peroxide and inventor of the most popular machine in
the world to produce your own hydrogen peroxide to be used as a rocket fuel.
Benjamin Valles
Benjamin Valles of Chihuahua, Mexico, developed a system and a method for pre-
forming cable for promoting adhesion to overmolding sensor body for Delphi
Technologies Inc. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,077,022 on July 18,
2006.
 e) NOBEL PRIZES (OR SIMILAR AWARDS)

Alfonso García Robles – 1982 winner

The Mexican diplomat and former foreign minister Alfonso García Robles was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982, for his work promoting nuclear
disarmament. Born in the steamy city of Zamora, Michoacán, García Robles
originally wanted to become a priest, before deciding that he was better suited to a
career in law. After completing his studies in Mexico and Europe, García Robles
rose through the ranks of the civil service and eventually became state secretary to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Octavio Paz – 1990 winner

Poet and essayist Octavio Paz was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990.
Always prolific, Paz published his first collection of poems when he was just 17. He
also worked in the diplomatic service and served as Mexico’s ambassador to India.
The long, surrealist poem Piedra de Sol (‘Sunstone’) is widely regarded as Paz’s
masterpiece. The circular structure of the poem was based on the Aztec calendar
and it addresses themes such as romance, eroticism, and death.

Mario José Molina – 1995 winner

Mario José Molina, along with two other scientists, was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Chemistry for uncovering the chemical processes that deplete the earth’s ozone
layer.
This scientific discovery led to the Montreal Protocol, a crucial environmental treaty
that phased out the use of CFC chemicals that erode the ozone layer.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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